Environmentally Fashionable/Globally Healthy, Volume 2

     I've been looking all over for more environmentally friendly/animal friendly cosmetics...and decided to try the line sold at Whole Foods called ZuZu Luxe Makeup.  However, I discovered that most of their products contain palm oil.  Palm oil can be listed as an ingredient in many ways including:

• Emulsifier 422
• Cetyl palmitate and octyl palmitate
• Elaesis guineensis
• Hexadecyclic or palmitic acid
• Hydrated palm glycerides
• Palm oil kernel
• Palmate

Well, let me tell you!  I was not going to be having any of that...palm oil is used in so many of the daily products we use such as soaps, cleaners, fuel, makeup, processed foods, etc. 

What is Palm Oil?

Palm oil is an edible form of vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the oil palm, prevalent in Indonesia and Malaysia where 80 per cent of the world’s supply of palm oil is produced.

However, it's usage is destroying rainforests, habitats...and a lot of times, orangutans are killed merely because they are in the way of harvesters... 

So!  I went with this!  LUSH!  A green company that is also animal friendly!  I haven't tried their whole line yet but this bubblegum lip scrub is scrumptious!!

I get asked a lot how do I prepare for a photoshoot?  I've had an interest in modeling for a very long time...and have been collecting images over the years and organizing them into my Look Book into different sections.  I have sections for posing, hair styles, makeup ideas, outfits, covers I liked and a section for images overall that I just enjoy.  I use this book whenever I am looking for ideas on how to dress for a shoot or poses that I might like to try...as a photographer I would also use it to help some of the models, especially the younger ones, get a feel for what posing is good for the type of modeling they are looking to get in to...and believe me...this book is no where near complete!  I still continually rip out pages while people wonder and watch what I'm doing at work...right now those pages are just in a big bag waiting to get filed into the Look Book...or discarded if I decide I didn't like them that much afterall..

I want to introduce to you my friend Jeanine!  She is a shark expert and lover...I had her write up an article on Sharks as a feature to Environmentally Fashionable/Globally Healthy!
GO SHARKS! :D

Stats on Sharks by Jeanine Landau Stright

Well, that's it for now!!  Best Wishes!  Natalie Lynn

Goodbye 2011!

It's been a while since I last posted...and I'm sorry for that!  I guess I just kind of have forgotten!  I wanted to share with you though some things I have going on, some tips and other goodies!

Just recently I have started my own network called Environmentally fashionable/Globally Healthy.  I will be highlighting all things Green, Fashionable and Fit!  Through my friend Candy, I was given the nickname Miss Green Queen...and hence my Miss Green Queen tips!  Check out the Twitter page for tips!  

CLICK ON PURPLE LINKS FOR INFO/ACCESS

Environmentally fashionable/Globally Healthy Twitter Account

Pertinent to the holiday season, today's Green Queen Tip is to recycle your dead Christmas lights that you would normally just throw in the trash.  I know, we intend to try to make them work again, but then time slips away and we are frantic with running around...so they just get tossed!  Easy and done!  However, check into your city that you live in.  Most offer collection locations to drop these broken lights off...they are then taken to a facility where they are disassembled and the wires get reused and such.  Check your local bulletin for info!

As you may or may not know...I started getting heavy into photography, expanding Natalie Lynn Photography services.  In doing so, I have noticed that there is a lot of info girls could use prior to shooting.  As a model, my first recommendation is to have clean nails, no polish or clear.  As a professional model, having colored nails is a total no-no.  You are there to be the canvas to promote the product, clothing, etc. that you are representing.  The only time when you should wear polish is when your stylist asks you to.  Look at the ads in a Vogue magazine.  If the nails aren't clear, the stylist wanted them that specific color.

I've gotten a lot of comments lately on a trimmer physique!  Aside from sticking to my fitness diet, I have really watched to eliminate gluten from my diet, am doing heavy lifting sessions that also include pylos with some low intensity cardio...and am still in love with VPX's Clen!  While I need to cycle off of it, this product has worked the best for me in regards to giving me the best energy without any jitters, adds to the intensity of my workouts...and just in general, I feel great!

VPX Clen

Fashion Tip!!  Tired of broken face powders, eyeshadows, etc???  Do not toss!  Instead, add a bit of Rubbing Alcohol to the broken pieces until a paste is created.  Smooth it out and let dry for 24 hours!!  The powdered makeup will still be useable...and save you some money!  I do not know how many Mac eyeshadows I have thrown out when only half used!

Hope these tips have helped!!

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays!

Natalie Lynn

Audacious August

Oh my! We are already into the dog days of summer and how quickly it is passing us by!!! As you may or may not know, one of my nicknames is "Green Queen"...more or less because I will recycle everything I can even if it means driving to another facility that only takes certain items (I get this from my Dad!!). I will do anything in my power to preserve the planet and all living things on it...and hopefully others will join me too! I am working to put together another gathering for some Seed Gathering in the fall in the northwest suburbs of Chicago...so, if you are interested in becoming a part of the process, please feel free to email me at nll@natalielynn.net so that I can get you on the information list!!

This summer started of with me, Tommy and a bunch of other girls from the Chicago Cathy Savage Fitness group, alongwith the Illlinois Prairie Stewards, planting a bunch of rare seedling plants that are so needed to keep up the natural flora, in addition to helping the local birds, insects and other animals! We had some perfect sunny, tempid weather and it rained just after we were done...amazing!! We all had a great time together and am, as I mentioned, looking to put together a second gathering, this time to collect seeds, in the fall. Truly rewarding!

This year has also seen me competing in several fitness shows so far (with more to come!) including the Illinois Natural ABA Show (featured in the August, 2010 Ironman Magazine!), the WBFF Fitness Atlantic Show and Fitness Universe! Not only are these shows fun but they're truly rewarding with the wonderful friends you make along the way!

While in Miami for the Fitness Universe, I was able to work with three great photographers.   Natalie Minh, Eva Simon and John Atherton!  Nice people, professional and gave me some outstanding images!

Most recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of abc 7 Chicago News for a fashion segment with Erica Strama and the Shops of North Bridge (on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago). The crew was truly nice and fun to work with. Erica? She's a blast! So eloquent!!

Click below to see the Fashion Segment!

abc 7 Chicago Fashion Segment

Well, Go Green! says Miss Green Queen! Feel free to leave comments!

Warm Regards,

Natalie Lynn

So Springy!

What a day this has been today...the only day of the weekend where I wasn't plagued with a migraine...and I made great use of it!  Got my taxes done, sent in for my NASM Personal Trainer recert completion, met up with some Savage Girls, did my own cardio, errands and some shopping with Mom!  And the sun was out...such a beautiful day!

I remember my days of tanning in the booth...and oh, yes, I still miss them!  But after my bout of skin cancer on my face...never again!  It did take me five doctors before I found the most amazing one that wouldn't disfigure me (could you imagine???)...I think about this every morning as I am getting ready to start my day.  EVERY day I apply sunscreen to my face and any other skin that might be exposed through the day (my left arm tends to get it too with the window on the driver's side always being open).  My favorite sunscreen has been Clarins.  Not too stinky, clear and non-greasy so I put my makeup on right over it!  Through all of this I have also learned the importance of taking extra special care with scars.  These areas of scarred skin are extra sensitive to the sun (think baby skin) and therefore must be protected with the highest level of protection at least 5 years after scarring.  Because this "baby skin" is more sensitive to the sun, it can be more prone to sun damage, i.e. cancer.  I am no doctor but preach from my experience :)  My skin cancer was on a part of my nose that had been badly scarred by a dog bite to the nose.  A year later I had gotten sun poisoning, every part of me was badly burned.  15 years later, voila!  Cancer!  LOL!  So please heed my warning and just spray yourselves :)

The beginning of 2010 held some fun events for me including being involved in the February 2010 issue of Fashion Chicago Magazine doing a lingerie layout for shopwildflowers.com 

Also in February, I was seen on the ABC reality show "Shark Tank", the season finale!  I have a few cameos, including one showing my dimple...so catch it quick!  LOL!!  Click on the link...I'm with Nicole the Chicago shoe lady and am one of her home shoe party conspirators!Shark Tank Find Episode 115, 19:00 on...

If you know me well enough, you know that I am much into saving our environment as it is...and to help all the little (and big) animals to survive...not to mention...I am a big Recycling freak and I am always trying to encourage others to do the same!  Check out the geek holding the box of garbage in about the third story down...lol!!! Green Patriot Article

The Performance Network, an awesome website, recently featured me in an interview...I dare you to read it to see if you can learn anything new about me :)  The Performance Network

Ok...one last shot of me in all my geekiness!!  But yes!!  I thought the best way to recycle all the plastic cups I use at Lifetime Fitness when I purchase my shakes twice a day, is NOT TO USE them!  So now I bring my own mug....drink, rinse and go till the next one!

Have a Great Easter!!!

xo...Natalie Lynn

December Delight!

Oh my!  How the time has flown...even the holidays are drawing to a close.  I gotta admit, I do love the routine of regular life, regular clean eating and working out...so can I say, "Welcome 2010!"

The last quarter of this year saw me participating in the FMI Conference...a wonderful three-day seminar where we did several shoots and learned everything under the sun regarding making your mark in the fitness industry.  There I got to work with photographer greats Mike Byerly, Harvey Elkins and Russ Elloway!  Guest speakers were abundant...too numerous to name them all but included Clark Bartram, Adam Silver and Elisabetta Rogiani the designer!  FMI Website!

I continue to write articles for fitness-related topics and have recently become a guest writer for Clark Bartram's Website .  I love writing actually!  Please feel free to drop me a line if there's ever a certain topic you would be most interested in hearing about.  To contact me, go directly off my website Natalie Lynn's Natland!

Lastly, I've been a featured model on the World Physique website and will shortly be doing some shooting for their magazine within the next couple of weeks.  This new and up and coming magazine has some great features, articles and is loaded with information!  Check it out here!  World Physique Feature

All in all, it's been a great year!  2010 is going to be explosive...I can't wait!!!

Warm Regards,

Natalie Lynn

September Sizzles!

August started out with a quick trip to SoBe, that's right! Miami! Where William Uz of Evolution Fitnezz and I finally found some time to work together! We started our shoot off with a fabulous glamour street shoot, followed by some pool shots.  Early the next morning, we finished up the shoot on the beach for a beautiful sunrise set or two!  It was an amazing good time and I highly recommend William.  Not only is he a great photographer, he is also incredibly sweet and professional.  I've included some great images from the shoot including a behind-the-scenes peek!

Not too long ago, I modeled in the "Fashion's Night Out" fashion show at the Northbrook Court Mall where I modeled for such stores as White House Black Market.  I always have an amazing time when I am around the other URSupermodels that I work with.  The girls and guys are so sweet and professional.  It can make any gig a blast!

On that same note, next weekend I will be shooting for the Winter Swimsuit Issue of Fashion Chicago Magazine.  This will be the third time I will be working with the great Azhar Harris.  I am indebted to him for his commitment to the Chicago Fashion scene. 

As for the rest of my time, I continue to work fervently in the gym, training and taking it to the next level.  I have a great fitness routine that I am working on so am very hopeful to one day get that on the stage soon.   I continue to train client with http://www.1on1fitnesstraining.com and have developed my own Hip Hop Aerobics class there.  Nonetheless, I am very busy...I get a little antsy when I am sittin' still!  People often ask me how do I stay motivated?  A good bit from my friends...and a new Lullelemon outfit does not hurt at all!  LOL!!!

Also, as a sidenote, I am also a Virus Specialist.  This H1N1 Swine Flu is definitely keeping my company in business.  Sad to say but true.  lol.  Unfortunately, my work involves the use of animal kidneys so that 's always something I've had trouble coming to grips with.  As you know, I am a deep animal lover and environmentalist.  It is definitely a tough line to walk between matters involving animals, people and the earth.  By the

end of the year, I plan to be working more closely with the World Wildlife Fund and more locally, the Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards Organization in my area.  This organization works to keep the natural prairie environment in tact as much as possible in accordance with man.

Wish me luck!

xo...Natalie Lynn